Bureau of Engraving and Printing Modernization

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Information Service WASHINGTON, D.C.

RELEASE MORNING NEWSPAPERS
TURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1953 H-150

Secretary Humphrey announced today that the program of modernization
of equipment and processes in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will
make possible savings of $5,000,000 during the next fiscal year,

For several years tre Bureau has been conducting engineering studies
and tests for modernization cf its operations. Among improvements result-
ing from these studies are the successful development of new types of
ink for printing currency; mechanical devices to ecliminate manual feeding
of sheets to the currency presses; devices to eliminate the manual removal
and stacking of the printed sheets of currency; and automatic polishers
for printing plates, which were formerly polished by hand. All of these
improvements aided in the development of printing the currency 18 notes
to the sheet instead of 12,

This latest develooment has increased the preduction of notes from
each press by 50%, a factor which will result in a recurring annual saving
of approximately $5,000,000 and the elimination of more than 1300 positions
in the Bureau during the next year. The positions include skilled and
unskilled workers, plate printers and the 70 apprentice plate printers.
The Secretary emphasized that.wherever nossible surplus personnel would be
assigned to other positions in the Bureau and in other agencies in accordance
with Civil Service regulations and procedures.

The continued modernization of the Bureau's equipment and processes
is in k.eping with the law requiring the Bureau to print currency and
securities as safely, as cheanly, and as verfectly as could be done in
industry. It is also in keeping with tne exoressed desire of Congress
that the Bureau intensify its efforts to improve equipment and processes,
thereby effecting economies, and bring about better utilization of manpower.

Secretary Humphrey said that this program is in line with the
Administration's policy of bringing about economy in the Government service.
Bureau management has been instructed to actively pursue further means of
improving methods and equipment to the end that the Nation's currency and
Securities will be manufactured as efficiently and as economically as
possible, without in any way jeopardizing the high quality printing standards
of the Bureaue

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